If Detroit is to address the top of its order, Bowden suggested Brennan Boesch and Delmon Young as potential replacements to fill Martinez’s vacancy behind first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

Pierre, who is coming off the five-year, $44-million contract he signed with the Dodgers in 2006, hit .279 with the Chicago White Sox last season and has the ability to get on base and steal his way into scoring position. A career .296 hitter, he stole 27 bases last year and led the American League in stolen bases in 2010.

As a team, the Tigers combined to record a league-worst 49 stolen bases this past season. Tigers general manager Dombrowski suggested in early November and, again, at the Winter Meetings in
December that the club would consider addressing the leadoff spot this offseason.

As the roster currently stands, outfielder Austin Jackson is expected to
retain his leadoff role next season. The Tigers reportedly inquired
about several players that could fill the leadoff vacancy this
offseason, including Los Angeles utility infielder Maicer Izturis and
then free-agent second baseman Kelly Johnson.

The left-handed hitting Pierre, who led the National League with 204 hits in 2006, made all but two at-bats as the White Sox’s leadoff hitter last season and would likely split at-bats as the club’s DH and left fielder. That being said, his on-base skills have come under question as the 34-year-old was thrown out on 17 of 44 stolen base attempts last season -- leading the league for two straight years.

Pierre’s range and throwing arm have seemingly regressed the past few seasons and there’s question as to whether he would be a defensive upgrade in left over Young. He played 155 games in left field last season, but committed a league-leading seven errors, which tied him with Young and the Chicago Cubs’ Alfonso Soriano.

If the Tigers are looking to acquire a speedster in response to Martinez’s injury, Damon would appear to be a more logical fit than Pierre.